Cooking without propane for a group of 45

[vickikoz]

We are camping with the Cub Scouts and were told they will not allow propane. Any ideas how to cook for 45 people without propane?

 

[klawso@att.net]

Large dutch oven and a lot of good charcoal.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008GKDW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[chartle]

I go back to the days before propane and scouting weekends, but I do remember a trip where we couldn't use an open fire (pre green times) and had to use charcoal. This was also when charcoal lighter fluid was the only way to light it (no one sold chimneys) which was also banned. So we tried to light it like a fire, tender and such, didn't work. One of the leaders had his work truck with him and pulled out a propane torch.

OK first why no propane, but anyway if no propane then you only have charcoal which sucks.

Its going to be fun cooking anything you can't grill or as the PP posted put in a dutch oven. Oh and you would need 8 or so ovens maybe.

I'm thinking peanut butter and jelly and cold cuts.

Good Luck

 

[KristinU]

One meal? Our Cub Scout pack grilled over the open fire last year (great big collapsible grill) - lots of burgers and dogs, and a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches in a skillet for non meat eaters. Anyone with a smoker(s) in your pack? You could always have them do some yummy smoked turkey legs or something if they have a big enough smoker...or a couple of folks with smokers...45 is a lot of people.

 

[chartle]

Large dutch oven and a lot of good charcoal.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008GKDW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Like I posted a lot of dutch ovens.

 

[DVCconvert]

Any ideas how to cook for 45 people without propane?

Yes, call up the buffoon that made that rule and have them come and cook for you!

 

[chartle]

How about having it catered?

 

[Karenj2]

Get pizza delivered?? (I'm only half joking... )

 

[bama_ed]

If your group of Cubs are staying at the group campsite Creekside Meadow then the charcoal thing will work. It has 4 different group camping "pods" or areas each with space for many tents, each with multiple picnic tables, and each with about 6 big ol' grills (about 4 times bigger than the ones in the individual sites all over the Fort).

Also, as a former Cubmaster, there's no "propane restriction" in Scouting. Sounds like someone is a little too gung-ho. There's plenty of time for "gung-ho" down the Scouting road when the kids are ready for it. That's plain ol' stupid for all the other parents involved. I like the suggestion that the guy who is pushing/supporting the "no propane" rule is the guy who should have to cook and feed everyone.

Of course, there's also the takeout at Trails End. Slip through the little foot bridge at the back of Creekside Meadow into 900 loop, go to the bus stop and catch a bus to Pioneer Hall/Trail's End. For $25 you can get the Giddy Up & Go which is 10 pieces of chicken, lots of corn bread (sweet) or biscuits, and two sides (slaw, mashed, mac/cheese, and maybe a 4th choice).

Enjoy your trip.

Bama ED

 

[PrincessNana]

I'm curious...who said you couldn't use propane? Is that a boy scout thing or a Fort Wilderness thing?

 

[bama_ed]

I'm curious...who said you couldn't use propane? Is that a boy scout thing or a Fort Wilderness thing?

Karen,

I can assure you it is not a Scouting policy.

Bama ed

 

[bama_ed]

Plus people are using propane all over the Fort.

Bama ed

 

[PrincessNana]

Plus people are using propane all over the Fort.

Bama ed

That's why I was curious. We always use propane instead of charcoal...its easier to travel with and easier to clean up.

 

[chartle]

I'm curious...who said you couldn't use propane? Is that a boy scout thing or a Fort Wilderness thing?

Plus people are using propane all over the Fort.

Bama ed

Before this takes a "why no propane a the fort" turn, I don't think they are staying at FW and this is just a general camping question.

Still can't think why no propane. Like I posted. When I was in scouts, just after fire was discovered , we used to scour the surrounding area and scavenge for fire wood and only cook over a fire.

I'm assuming that its much less an impact now to use propane.

Until the OP comes back, we don't know who "they" are and why the ban. I can't imagine they expect Cub Scouts to "rough it" and cook over an open fire.

 

[KristinU]

I know our Cub Scout pack didn't cook over propane last year...when I asked if it was some sort of official mandate the Pack Master (or is it Cub Master? anyway...) said, no, the pack just doesn't own a coleman stove or grill or anything - LOL! So perhaps it isn't a rule at all, just out of necessity? Or out of necessity at some point in the past that morphed into a pack rule???

Kind of like the old: "Honey, why do you always cut the roast in two before roasting?" "I don't know, that's just the way my mom always did it"

"Mom, why do you always cut the roast in two before roasting?" "I don't know, that's just the way grandma always did it"

"Grandma, why do you always cut the roast in two before roasting?" "because my old roasting pan is too small to fit the full roast"

 

[chartle]

1. I know our Cub Scout pack didn't cook over propane last year...when I asked if it was some sort of official mandate the Pack Master (or is it Cub Master? anyway...) said, no, the pack just doesn't own a coleman stove or grill or anything - LOL! So perhaps it isn't a rule at all, just out of necessity? Or out of necessity at some point in the past that morphed into a pack rule???

2. Kind of like the old: "Honey, why do you always cut the roast in two before roasting?" "I don't know, that's just the way my mom always did it"

"Mom, why do you always cut the roast in two before roasting?" "I don't know, that's just the way grandma always did it"

"Grandma, why do you always cut the roast in two before roasting?" "because my old roasting pan is too small to fit the full roast"

1. So what do you cook with?

2. My fav is

A newlywed couple, preparing for their first family Thanksgiving, started determining whether or not they were ready. The croutons were seasoned, the vegetables were chopped, the potatoes were peeled, and the turkey was in the sink thawing…with the dish rack set over the bird. The young husband, curious as to why his wife might have imprisoned the bird asked, “Honey, why do you have the dish rack over the turkey?”

“That’s just how Mom always thawed her turkey, and I figured there was some sort of purpose behind it, so I did the same thing today. I’ll have to ask her later this evening over dinner when everyone’s here.”

As her family began to arrive for dinner and the young wife started to set the table, she pulled her mother aside and asked the same question, “Mom, why did you always thaw out the turkey in the sink with the dish rack over it?”

“That’s just how your grandmother did it, Dear, so that’s just how I always did it. Maybe you should ask her tonight, because I really don’t know.”

At that point, the young hostess began herding everyone toward the table. Once the plates were filled, drinks were poured, and everyone was settled in, she asked, “Grandma, I’ve got a question for you. Today, as I was preparing for the meal, my husband asked me why I placed the dish rack over the turkey as it thawed. I told him that’s just how Mom did it, but when I asked her why, she told me that’s just how you’ve always prepared turkey.”

With this, the little elderly woman started to giggle, which made the young wife and her family increasingly nervous.

“What’s so funny, Grandma? You obviously had a reason for covering your turkey with the dish rack. Why shouldn’t I do the same?”

At this point, the elder woman broke out into full-on laughter, belly laughs, guffaws, and all.

“Because you don’t have a cat!

 

[KristinU]

1. So what do you cook with?

Open fire with a grill/cooking grate. It was just one meal of burgers and dogs. The Webelos slept overnight and I believe they were having cereal in the morning.

And LOL, that turkey one is similar, but funnier!

 

[dbenlee]

We are camping with the Cub Scouts and were told they will not allow propane. Any ideas how to cook for 45 people without propane?

If you are allowed to to use charcoal or wood then a fun idea would be foil packs. Our Boy Scout troop loves to do them. They are easy to prepare and easy to clean up.

 

[bama_ed]

If you are allowed to to use charcoal or wood then a fun idea would be foil packs. Our Boy Scout troop loves to do them. They are easy to prepare and easy to clean up.

Ah.

The ubiquitous hobo dinners.

I have memories of eating rare (cooked) meat and undercooked potatoes.

And what would it be without some burned fingertips?

Oh the memories (suppressed) come flooding back.

<propane>

Bama ED

 

[chartle]

Ah.

The ubiquitous hobo dinners.

I have memories of eating rare (cooked) meat and undercooked potatoes.

And what would it be without some burned fingertips?

Oh the memories (suppressed) come flooding back.

<propane>

Bama ED

I thought it was more like undercooked potatoes with a charred exterior.